Don't Send Him In Tomorrow

Every health and wealth indicator that you could use to measure people with learning difficulties reveals something alarming. They die younger. They work less. They are much more likely to be excluded from school. They are more likely to be bullied at school. This book seeks to redress the chronic and pervasive lack of understanding and discussion.

Every health and wealth indicator that you could use to measure people with learning difficulties reveals something alarming. They die younger. They work less. They are much more likely to be excluded from school. They are more likely to be bullied at school. Leaders in education – politicians, regulators, head teachers, even parents – are marginalising, disenfranchising and isolating children with learning difficulties. We are creating an underclass that is invisible to society.
The percentage of children in Year 6 achieving the government’s expected standard is national news every year. The same is true for GCSE and A level results. The progress that children with learning difficulties make is never discussed, because it is not understood. That is a problem. The bone-crushing infrastructure which professionals have to negotiate is a problem. The fact that so many parents have to fight tooth and nail so that the needs of their children are met, which the rest of us would consider a basic entitlement, is a problem. This chronic and pervasive lack of understanding and discussion is a problem: one which this book seeks to redress.
For all politicians, head teachers, SENCOs and teachers.